Serving our country, Serving our community.

Frisco City Council

Issues

On Running for Office

If elected what do you hope to accomplish for the citizens and employees of our city?

My goal is to become a true representative of the people. I’ve developed many strong relationships over my 12 years in Frisco. Most importantly, I listen to what is happening in my neighbors’ lives and understand what is important to them. I reach out to all that have an issue or concern whether I agree or disagree with their opinion. My goal is to champion the will of the people and find compromise and consensus among the council. Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety and security of those that choose to live and work in Frisco.

What changes, if any, would you like to see made in city policies and city services?

From a services perspective, I think we are on track. Should Frisco residents request additional services we could review them at that time. City policies should always be under review. Feedback from our employees and residents should dictate where change is needed. Keeping an honest and open dialog is paramount to understanding what is working and what is not.

What do you feel are the greatest challenges facing our city?

I believe the average resident is most concerned with NEEDS – safety/security, infrastructure/roads, and jobs. After that are all the WANTS – parks, entertainment, shopping, etc. Out greatest challenge is ensuring that our needs are met while ensuring that Frisco has the right mix of wants.

What do you think should be the top three (3) goals/priorities for our city over the next few years?

Maintain a safe and secure community by ensuring our fire and police departments continue to be fully trained and equipped.

Foster efficient transportation through and around our city (roads and hike and bike)

Encourage realistic and stable growth by attracting quality corporate citizens as well as be a hotbed for upstarts and family businesses.

Do you feel it is important for the City Manager to form and maintain a relationship with the Frisco Fire Fighters Association?

A relationship should exist between the city manager and all employees/employee groups. In addition to any Open Door policy it is advantageous for the city manager and all city leadership to maintain an open line of communication with the employees of the city. This will assist city leadership in keeping their “finger on the pulse” of the city employees and will allow them to act proactively as they see trends. Ideally, this will result in higher employee morale and productivity.

How important do you feel it is for the city to recruit and retain quality employees through competitive pay and benefits packages?

There is no question in my mind that competitive pay and benefits packages are important to recruit and retain quality employees. That being said we must always be mindful that city employee compensation is paid with taxpayer dollars.

Do you have any previous experience working with members of the Fire Department or Fire Fighters Association?

Over the last three years I have developed personal/professional relationships with members of the Fire Fighters Association. I appreciate those that choose to be a member of the Assocation as it is THE professional organization of fire fighters. I see this as being no different than doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc., being a member of their professional associations.

I have also completed the Frisco Citizens Fire Academy and the CERT programs.

The City of Frisco currently maintains its commitment toward a COLA (cost of living adjustments for retirees) with TMRS. Would you support measures to maintain the COLA benefit?

A commitment has been made to our retirees while they were employees. I believe we must live up to our commitments and care for those that have given to our city long enough to earn retirement benefits.

Are you personally committed to communicating with the Frisco Fire Fighters Association regarding decisions that directly and indirectly affect their members?

Absolutely. I will always have an open door. However, I will encourage the use of chain of command for all formal issues to include policy, procedural, compensation issues, etc.

The current economic situation is dictating that the city prepare for several cost saving measures in the next budget. In order to keep basic services in place are you more inclined to call for budget cuts in all departments or in all departments excluding public safety?

I am always more inclined to call for budget cuts in departments outside of public safety first. That being said, if there is waste or unnecessary expenditures in our public safety departments then we must review those items as well.

On The Issues

In your opinion, what are the three most important issues facing the city of Frisco. You may use additional space than what is provided for your answers.

Frisco has and will continue to experience many issues unique to cities enduring major growth. Although the city has recently experienced slowed growth through the nation’s recessionary period, Frisco has once again become America’s fastest growing city. Managing this growth will be the most important issue. Under the growth umbrella I see infrastructure, transportation, land management, taxation, and providing city services as the most important issues.

Do you have any specific ideas on how to develop and retain business in your city?

There are many ways to develop and retain business within our city. Public/Private partnership is key. We are fortunate to have an experienced EDC, a vibrant Chamber of Commerce and successful Convention and Visitors Bureau. In conjuction with these entities we need to ensure that conditions are favorable to business. This includes low tax rates, access to an educated workforce, a low cost of living for the employees and entertainment venues of all kinds to enhance sports as well as arts and culture.

Frisco must continue to differentiate itself from her neighbors in order to attract and retain the best possible business. I intend to collaborate closely with other members of the city council, city staff and local business leaders to understand their current and future needs.

Currently, when a taxing jurisdiction other than a school district, increases its tax rate by more than 8%, the taxpayers’ only recourse is through a burdensome petitioning process. Would you support increased accountability to the public through automatic referendum on tax rates that increase by greater than 5%?

Yes. Government should have to justify to the taxpayers any increase in the tax rate. In 2009, the Frisco City Council voted to raise the tax rate by just over 3% during a time of economic hardship. Little justification was given and in retrospect voting members have stated that the increase was a mistake.

Currently, the Texas Constitution permits condemnation of land for public use. Before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Kelo vs. New London, public use was understood to be for parks, roads, and other infrastructure. The following is a two part question: A). Do you support the taking of private property through the powers of eminent domain for the purpose of economic development? B). Do you support a local governments taking of private property through powers of eminent domain and conveying that condemned property to another private sector entity or owner?

A).Answer: No

B).Answer: No

Further Explanation of Position: I firmly believe that private property is just that – private property. Eminent domain should only be used for public use projects in which there is clear benefit for the public, not special interests, and only after fair offers to purchase the property have failed.

Furthermore, property owners should be adequately compensated for the property through fair valuation. Should the project not be built, the original property owner should have the right to reacquire the property at a fair value.

As local officials look for new ways to fund city and county services and transportation needs, proposals have been made to enact new local taxes, including a proposal that places a flat fee or percentage sales tax on all real estate transactions (a.k.a., “real estate transfer tax”). Would you support a transfer tax on real estate transactions of any dollar amount or percentage either locally or on the state level?

No. I oppose any type of transfer tax on real estate transactions. This would ultimately lead to increased costs to buyers/sellers and reduce the number of real estate transactions resulting in a negative effect to the local economy.

Some city councils have proposed to mandate certain energy efficiency upgrades in residential properties which must be completed and certified prior to the sale of the property. These mandates would require all properties to be retrofitted to meet the standards of the mandates costing sellers thousands of dollars. If elected, would you support efforts to impose mandatory energy-efficiency upgrades in existing housing?

No. Frisco has some of the highest building standards in North Texas. These standards include a mandatory Residential Green Building Program that was adopted in May, 2001. Although, I am in favor of the existing mandate, I am firmly against any ordinance/law that would require a homeowner to meet energy efficiency standards that were in place prior to construction. I believe the marketplace (supply/demand for energy efficient properties) along with personal choice should be the only factors determining whether a homeowner chooses to upgrade their homes energy efficiency.

This would ultimately lead to increased costs to buyers/sellers and reduce the number of real estate transactions resulting in a negative effect to the local economy.

Furthermore, I spent years in the commercial/residential energy efficiency industry. I would recommend that a HERS Index be associated with every home, on the MLS, in order to assist homebuyers in making their purchasing decision.